Holder for floor and wall cleaning devices



D. JENKINS April 12, 1960 HOLDER FOR FLOOR AND WALL CLEANING DEVICES Filed June 10, 1957 I IN VEN T OR. flay/d c/mms HTTORNEY the several views. 1

Unit tes Patent HOLDER FOR FLOOR AND WALL CLEANING DEVICES David Jenkins, Seattle, Wash. Application June 10, 1957,Serial No. 664,619

Claims. (Cl. 148) My invention relates to; floor and wall cleaning and conditioning devices and an object of my invention is' to improve devices of this nature and eflicient and easier to use. 1 U'Another object of my invention is to provide simple and efiicient means by which any one of a number of dilferent floor or wall conditioning devices, such as mops, clusters, brushes, squeegees and the like can be quickly and easily and securely attached to 'a handle and quickly and easily released or detached from said handle for replacement by difierent devices of a similar nature. a

,7 Another object is to provide readily attachable and detachable means carried by a handle and to which a platenfprovided with a mop, brush, cleaning pad or the like may be attached without the use of tools and without requiring the hands of thesuser to directly contact the cleaning devices. a

Another object is to provide floor and wall conditioning devices which maybe used by a person in a standing position thus minimizing fatigue and making possible a reduction in the time and effort required in the cleaning of floors, walls and the like and in the conditioning of the same. f. s I

r Other objects of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 1

: In the drawings Figure 1 is-a fragmentary view partly make them more insection and partlyin sideelevation of a floor and wallconditioning device constructed in accordance with my invention. s

Fig. 2 is a detached isometric device. Y

- Fig. '3 is 'a'detached is'ometricview of another part of the device. 1

[Fig.4 is a detached'isometric view of still other parts of this device. I V 9 Fig.5 is a top planview'of a platen shownin cross section in Figure 1, the platenbeing detached from the handle in Fig. 5 and the pad which is shown in Fig. 1 being omitted.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken substantially on broken line .6-6 of' Fig. '5 showing the platen with a pad secured'thereom' view of a part of this -Figf7' is a view in cross sectionof a platen member providedwith'a sponge rubber wall cleaner made in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary veiw in cross section of a mop type platen made in accordance with this invention;

1 .Like referencernumerals refer to like. parts throughout A handle 15 having on its lower endmeans for. detachably. engaging with and holding a platen or like device is shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 and will first be described, ';The handle 15 may be of any desired length. Preferably I provide two of these handles with each. set of floor andyvall conditioning devices, one handle about four'feet long for use in floor conditioning and high wall and ceiling work and the like and one handle detachably engaging with and holding the 'platens and similar devices comprises av ferrule type frame formed of two spaced apart side plates 16 and 17 positioned on opposite sides of the handle and extending below the adjacent end of the handle. Two outwardly extend! ing guide flanges 18 and 19 are rigid with the lower ends of the respective side' plates Y16 and 17 .and pro: ject at substantially right angles therefrom. Prefer? ably the guide flanges 18, and 19 extend forwardly beyond the foremost lower portions of the side plates 16 and 17 and thus provide added length for guiding purposes. Preferably both the forward and rear edges of the side plates 16 and 17 have narrow inwardly directed flanges 2t) which extend over the handle 15 and contribute strength and rigidity. Aligned perforations 21 are provided in the side plates 16 and 17 to receive a bolt 22 by which said side plates are secured to the handle 15. A frame plate 23 extends crosswise under the rear edge portions of the upright side plates 16 and 17 and the rear ends of the guide flanges '18 and 19 are positioned on the frame plate 23 and secured to it by rivets 24. The rear edge of the frame plate 23 has a platen engaging flange 25 extending downwardly therefrom. The flange 25 is inclined forwardly toward the frame plate, as shown, for better and more eflicient holding. Preferably the flange 25 is punched or otherwise treated to provide forwardly extending projections 26 which will increase its holding efliciency.

Aclamping. plate 27 is positioned below and extends across the track flanges 18 and 19.and the'side plates 16 and 17 forwardly of the frame plate 23. The clamping plate 27 has upwardly and inwardly extending edge portions forming track members 28 whichi'fit slidably over the outer edge portions of the guide flanges 18 and 19. Thus the clamping plate 27 is supported on the guide flanges 18 and 19 and is movable toward and away from the frame plate 23 and is in the same plane as the frame plate 23. The forward edge of the clamping plate 27 has a, downwardly extending platen'engag ing flange 30 which is inclined rearwardly so that it forms an angle of less than ninety degrees with the plate. The flange 30 is punched or stamped or otherwise formed to'provide rearwardly extending barbs or projections 31 to increase its holding capacity. The flange 30 is generally similar to the flange 25 and these two flanges are.

. each other downwardly considered.

positioned in opposedrelation and are inclined toward A fairly strong tension spring 32 is disposed in the space-between the lower end of the handle 15 and the upper side of the frame plate 23 and clampingplate 24 and interconnects these two plates so that itexerts" a force tending to draw these two'plates togethen; Pr"ef-- erably the spring 32 has hook shaped end parts 33;which grasping and releasing a platen ashereinafter described;

The lever means for moving the clamping plate-27= away from the frame plate 23, that is toward the .right,*. Fig. 1, comprises a leverof inverted U shape" formed of two spaced apart side bars or. members 35 connected byr an upper end bar 36. Preferably this lever is formed-of.

fairly stiff spring wire bent to the required shape-. :Sai'rb lever extendsupwardly at a forward incline from the clamping plate 27. The lower'ends of the side members 35 straddle the spring 32 and extendinto a notch 37 in the clamping plate 27. The upper end bar 36 of said lever is pivotally connected with the upper end of a link 38. The lower end of the link'38 is connected by a pivot 40 witha plate 41 which is rigid with the lower end portion of the handle 15. The lower end of the plate 41 formsa fulcrum against which the lever 35, 36 operates. The link 38 prevents the lever from dropping down and normally said link and the lever stand in about the position shown in Fig. 1. By placing the fingers around the handle 15 and the thumb on the upper end of the lever 35, 36 and link 38 and exerting a pull on the upper portion of the lever toward the handle 15 the lever can easilybe pivotally moved about the fulcrum formed by the end of the plate 41 and the clamping plate 27 can be movedaway from the frame plate .23 to move the platen engaging flanges Sand 30 apart. The flanges 25 and 30 are adapted to fit over and grip divergently inclined sides of any device of suitable shape and size which is to be attached to the handle. The positioning of the lever 35, 36 makes it very convenient to grasp and operate said lever and at the same time to use the same hand in guiding and manipulating the handle in detaching and attaching different platens.

One platen 42 adapted for use with the above described handle is shown in Figs. 1, and 6 and will now be described. This platen 42 is of rectangular outline and it has a plane flat lower pad engaging surface. The upper side of the platen 42 has side flanges 43 which extend upwardly along its lateral edges and reinforce the platen. The side flanges 43 are of shallow depth adjacent the ends of the platen but throughout the medial portion of the platen these side flanges have upwardly extending outwardly flaring parts 44 with which the platen engaging members. 25 and 30 cooperate in detachably securing the platen to the handle. Four longitudinally extending tubular guide members 45 are provided adjacent the respective corners of .the platen 42. Preferably these guide members 45 are formed by providing extensions on the side flanges 43 and cylindrieally bending these extensions inwardly. Two U shaped pad holding members each comprising two parallel side bars 46 connected by a straight end bar 47, are slidably supported by the tubular guide members 45. The inner ends 46 of the side bars 46 are preferably bent enough to prevent withdrawal ofthe side bars from the guide members 45 after theyhave been installed therein. Each pad holdback together and this continuously frees them from dust they have picked up. by contact with the wall.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary cross sectional view showing a mop or duster made in accordance with my invention. This mop or cluster comprises a longitudinally corrugated sheet metal back member or platen 54 having convergent side flanges 55, only one of which is shown, capable of being gripped by the platen engaging members and 30. Any pliable material 56 suitable for cleaning or dusting or like purposes is cut in strips and folded and has the folded edges thereof inserted in the grooves 57 of the corrugated platen 54 and secured in said grooves by punching opposed convergent tabs 58 of the metal of which the platen is formed inwardly into clamping engagement with the material. The. inwardly punched tabs 58 hold the material securely at frequent intervals and the corrugations in the metal of which the platen 54 is formed contribute to the strength of said platen.

ing member: 46, 47 .can. be pulled outwardly in the guide members 45 into a pad receiving position, as shown by dot and dash .lines .in Fig.5. An end portion 48', Fig. 6, ofza pad 48 canthenbe folded over the adjacent end of the platen 42 and the pad holding member pushed inwardly tosecurely clamp the folded over end 48' of the pad. Friction of the side members 46 in the guides 45 prevents loosening of the bars 47 relative to the clamped ends 48 of the pad 48. The parts just described pro-v vide quickly and easily operated means by which a pad of any suitable pliable material can be applied to theface of the platen 42 and securelyclamped to said platen at both ends.

. Fig.7.shows a wallicleaning device which is highly eflicient on wall paper and painted, tinted or kalsomined walls. This device comprises a back or platen member 50 of any desired length having convergent side flanges 51 capable of being gripped by the platen engaging members 25 and 30. A plurality of strips 52 of sponge rubber are secured in side by side relation to the platen 50. The edges of the strips 52 adjacent the platen are secured to said platen 50.by a suitable layer 53 of adhesive. Except for their connection with the platen 50 the strips 52 are independent of each other and when they are pressed sidewise and then released, as will occur when they are drawn over'a wall and then lifted off of the wall, these strips will first separate'and then slap The operation of thedevices herein disclosed is believedto be fully apparent from the foregoing description. The platen engaging and. holding means provided on the end of the handle 15 issimple and easily operated and it holds the platens or like devices securely. It will be understood that substantially any mop brush, cleaning pad, duster or the like which -is provided'with or is capable of being attached to a back member or platen that is shaped and dimensioned to fit within the platen engaging members 25 and 30 can be used on the handle 15 The, foregoing description and accompanying drawings clearly disclose preferred embodiments of my invention but it will be understood that this disclosure ismerely illustrative and that changes may be made within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1.1 Ina holder for a floor cleaning device, a handle; means including side plates attachedlto the lower end portion of said handle and extending below the lower end of the handle; outwardly extending guide flanges perpendicularto and rigid with the lower ends of, said side plates; a frame plate resting against and extending crosswise beneath the rear end portions of said guide flanges and secured to said guide flanges; a clamping plate resting against and guided by said guide flanges for move ment toward and away from said frame plate, said frame plate and said clamping plate being provided with opposed platenengaging means; a spring urgingsaid clamping plate and said frame plate toward each other; and'a thumblever engaging the clamping plate. and operable in moving the clamping plate away from the frame. plate.

, 2. In a .holder for floor .and wall cleaning devices, a handle; side plates attached to the lower end portion ofthe'handle-and extending below thelowerend of said handle; outwardly extending guide flanges perpendicular to and rigid with the lower ends of said side plates; a frame plate resting against and extending crosswise benea th the rear portions of saidguide flanges and se-' cured to said guide flanges; a clamping plate resting against and extending crosswise under said. guide flanges; upwardly and inwardly extending track. members on the lateral edges of said clamping plate receiving and. extending over the outer edges'ofsaid. guide flanges, whereby said clamping. plate is guidedby said guide flanges for movement toward and away. from said frame plate, said frame plate and said clamping plate having opposed platen gripping means;.resilient means yieldingly urging said clampingplate toward'said frame plate and a thumb lever engagingthe clamping plate and operable to move the clamping plate away'from the frame plate. I

3. In a holder-for floor and wall cleaning devices, 'a handle; two side plates secured against opposite-sides of the'lower'end portion of said handle and extending beyond the end of the handle; an outwardly extending guide flange perpendicular to and rigid with the lower end'of'each of said'side plates; a frame plate resting against and extending crosswise beneath the rear portions of said side plates and said guide flanges and secured to said guide flanges; a platen engaging flange extending downwardly and forwardly from the rear edge of said frame plate; a clamping plate resting against and extending crosswise beneath said guide flanges and having track members engaging the marginal portions of said guide flanges guiding said clamping plate on said guide flanges for movement toward and away from said frame plate, said frame plate and said clamping plate being in a common plane; a platen engaging flange extending downwardly and rearwardly from the front edge of said clamping plate; a spring urging said clamping plate toward said frame plate; and a thumb lever engaging the clamping plate movable to retract the clamping plate relative to the frame plate.

4. In a holder for floor and wall cleaning devices, a handle; two side plates secured against opposite sides of the lower end portion of said handle and extending beyond the adjacent end of the handle; an outwardly extending guide flange rigid with the lower end of each of said side plates, said guide flanges extending forwardly from said side plates; a frame plate extending crosswise beneath the rear portions of said guide, flanges and said side plates; rivets securing said frame plate to said guide flanges; a downwardly and forwardly extending platen flange on the rear edge of said frame plate; a clamping plate extending crosswise beneath said guide flanges forwardly of said frame plate; track forming means on the lateral edges of said clamping plate receiving the edges of said guide flanges and movably supporting said clamping plate on said guide flanges; a platen engaging flange extending downwardly and rearwardly from the front edge of said clamping plate, said two platen engaging flanges being inclined toward each other downwardly considered; a tension spring positioned above the clamping plate and having its opposite ends connected respectively with the frame plate and the clamping plate; a forked lever arm straddling said spring and having its lower end engaging said clamping plate, said lever arm extending upwardly and forwardly from the clamping plate; and fulcrum means rigid with the handle and side plates and positioned above the spring, whereby said lever can be pivoted on said fulcrum means in moving the clamping plate against the tension of the spring.

5. In a holder for floor and wall cleaning devices, a

6 handle; two spaced apart side plates rigid with the lower end portion of the handle and extending downwardly therefrom; outwardly extending guide flanges on the lower ends of said side plates; a frame plate extending crosswise beneath the rear portions of said guide flanges and secured to said guide flanges; a platen engaging flange on said frame plate; a clamping plate extending crosswise beneath said guide flanges forwardly of said frame plate and supported for movement toward and away from said frame plate by said guide-flanges; a platen engaging flange on said clamping plate; a tension spring positioned above the clamping plate and having its oppo',

site ends connected respectively with the frame plate and the clamping plate; a lever of inverted U shape straddling said spring and having its lower ends positioned in engagement with said clamping plate, said lever extending upwardly and forwardly; a mounting plate secured to the front side of said handle, the lower end of said mounting plate being substantially flush with the lower end of the handle and forming a fulcrum for said lever; and a link pivotally supported from the lower end of said mounting plate and extending upwardly and forwardly adjacent said lever, said link being pivotally connected with the upper end portion of said lever, said link supporting said lever and said lever being angularly movable about the fulcrum formed by the lower end of said mounting plate in moving said clamping plate away from said frame plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 602,058 Cooper Apr. 12, 1898 898,232 Lewis Sept. 8, 1908 950,897 Dehling Mar. 1, 1910 1,461,319 Macy et a1. July 10, 1923 1,510,898 Nikicser Oct. 7, 1924 1,759,768 Tscherning May 20, 1930 2,011,975 Johnson Aug. 20, 1935 2,062,049 Cabana Nov. 24, 1936 2,313,787 Vaughn Mar. 16, 1943 2,354,969 Trindl et al. Aug. 1, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS 7,081 Great Britain of 1920 37,303 Norway July 9, 1923 153,129 Great Britain Nov. 4, 1920 568.427 Germany Ian. 9 1933 

